UN HRC Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has recommended the Council to delay the tabling of the long-awaited OISL (OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka) report on the investigation into the final phases of the war in Sri Lanka,for six months until September.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
Explaining his decision, the High Commissioner has said that it is a ‘one-time only’ deferral and has added that it has been a difficult decision for him.
“There are good arguments for sticking to the original timetable and there are also strong arguments for deferring the report’s consideration a bit longer, given the changing context in Sri Lanka,” the Human Rights Chief has stated.
Speaking further he has added that since he has received a clear commitment from the new government on its willingness to cooperate with his office on a range of issues and that he wishes to engage with the GoSL to ensure those commitments translate into reality.
The OISL was due to be tabled at the upcoming UNHRC session in March. Earlier last week during his visit to Washington, External Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera made a request from the US government and the UNHRC to delay the tabling of the OISL report.
Following is the full release:
Zeid requests “one time only” deferral of key report on Sri Lanka conflict
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Monday explained his recommendation to the Human Rights Council to delay the consideration of a long-awaited report into alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Sri Lanka for six months until September 2015.*
The High Commissioner stressed that the deferral of the report was “for one time only,” and guaranteed that the report would be published by September. His request for deferral was granted by the Council on Monday afternoon.
“This has been a difficult decision,” Zeid said. “There are good arguments for sticking to the original timetable, and there are also strong arguments for deferring the report’s consideration a bit longer, given the changing context in Sri Lanka, and the possibility that important new information may emerge which will strengthen the report.”
“In addition, I have received clear commitments from the new Government of Sri Lanka indicating it is prepared to cooperate with my Office on a whole range of important human rights issues – which the previous Government had absolutely refused to do – and I need to engage with them to ensure those commitments translate into reality.”
The High Commissioner noted that the three distinguished experts,** who were appointed by his predecessor Navi Pillay to advise the investigation, had informed him that, in their unanimous view, a one-off temporary deferral would be the best option to allow space for the new Government to show its willingness to cooperate on human rights issues.
“Taking all this into account, I have therefore decided, on balance, to request more time to allow for a stronger and more comprehensive report,” Zeid.
“I am acutely aware that many victims of human rights violations in Sri Lanka, including those who have bravely come forward to provide information to the inquiry team, might see this is as the first step towards shelving, or diluting, a report they have long feared they would never see. I fully understand those fears and deep anxieties, given the history of failed or obstructed domestic human rights inquiries in Sri Lanka, and the importance of this international investigation being carried out by my team at the UN Human Rights Office.”
“There should be no misunderstanding,” the High Commissioner continued. “I give my personal, absolute and unshakable commitment that the report will be published by September. Like my predecessors, I believe that one of the most important duties of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is to act as a strong voice on behalf of victims. I want this report to have the maximum possible impact in ensuring a genuine and credible process of accountability and reconciliation in which the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparations are finally respected.”
* In March 2014, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) – a 47-member State body – adopted resolution 25/1 entitled ‘Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ which requested the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights “to undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission” which examined the last years of the armed conflict. The HRC requested the UN Human Rights Office “to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations, and of the crimes perpetrated, with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability,” with assistance from relevant experts. The resolution requested the Office to present a comprehensive report at its 28th session in March 2015.
** The three experts, appointed in June 2014, are: Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, renowned for his international peace work; Silvia Cartwright, former Governor-General and High Court judge of New Zealand, and judge of the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts in Cambodia; Asma Jahangir, former President of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Bar Association and of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and previous holder of several Human Rights Council mandates.
Sensible Citizen / February 17, 2015
If a sensible reconciliation can happen without a long drawn process, we should welcome the decision. The objective is to find justice and to heal the wounds to work together as Srilanka for the better future for all. We have extremists on both sides and we should recognize the best path for all and moderates on all sides should work together to defeat the extremists. It is the responsibility of the new government to legislate a charter of rights and freedom that recognizes the freedom of every citizen to practice their beliefs and to criminalize hate crime of any form including instigation. Anything less should be viewed as a recipe for chaos.
I think the proposed approach to cleaning up the characters who can stand for election to public office including criminal past or run in with the law is a welcome first step
Good luck to Mother Lanka
Sensible Citizen
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Off the Cuff / February 17, 2015
Reason has prevailed over the mad rush by the separatists. Hope reason will continue to prevail over rabid separatism
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saman / February 17, 2015
Dont Worry we will kill this report. Every person with a Brain know the Biggest Vialotors of World Human Rights the USA and some western nations Pushed for this report not for rights but politics. Thats why we saw the the USA and some rights groups openly conffering with the Accuised LTTE Groups both domestic and Overseas. So much for a Balance and biased investigation. And From previous Investgations such as the Gaza war and rafik hariri there are flaws in this investigation..for instance the hidden witness all these can be argued and have the Bias report killed. i mean take the Gold Stone report dropped because it became a political tool, and the rafik hariri Inquiry where the people who asked the UN to investgate said it was biased and left out the wider scope.. WE WILL KILL THIS REPORT SOON
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srilal / February 17, 2015
“Dont Worry we will kill this report.”
what do you mean by “We” ? will it include “Thunmulle Wimale ” aka “Booruwansa” ? Isn’t this the high time for another Thunmulle day time drama ? please don’t forget to add other clowns to your list , i.e Gommanpila (Gembanpila) , Boru Sinhaya (Dinesh G) and Vasidewa et al.
Good luck !
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kamal / February 17, 2015
Ths UNHCR report is nothing but a LTTE Tamil Revenge Report. Every one with a Brain knows that. This is the Defeated Tamil Bakers who poured million into the LTTE wanting the Blood now for the defeat in a fiar fight. Are you now saying the Racist Tamils havent Blood Lust. And the Other side fools will say ok here is a few people to appease the Tamil Blood Lust and give some Innocent Soldiers who fought up. The the Racist Tamil Gods in the west will Be appeased. the TNA Ananthi Sasitharan who husband whos the most Notorious Commander in the east full of Blood from Batti to Jaffna going to UNHCR and asking for Human rights.. This report is nothing but ‘BLOOD LIABLE’ AGAINST THE SRI LANKAN PEOPLE.. (not the far away wannabe Sri Laankans who ran away)
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srilal / February 17, 2015
That is your interpretation of the whole event ,certainly i will not agree on both parties versions ,we will have to wait another six months to see the contents of the report .
you haven’t answered my question , can Thunmmulle Wimale or his fake patriots stop the report being released ? previous regime made every single person to go before UN office and to protest against the inquiry , will that sort of silly protests bear fruits ? if Gen Fonseka says that he is prepared to take the full responsibility of the war and prepared to face any inquiry , what is this big fuss ? those who have given illegal orders may be shivering after hearing these stories now !
Take my word on this , war crime investigation would go as planned regardless we Srilankans approved or not , on the other hand , if there were zero civilian casualties ( or policy) as claimed by our ex president , why would any one worry about any investigation ?
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saman / February 17, 2015
have given illegal orders may be shivering after hearing these stories now !
How do You know this??? This socalled claim was made by the Previous head of the UNHCR and other rights body that are ment to investigate Sri Lanka EVEN BEFORE THE NATIONS VOTED FOR A WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATION.
The Term the cards are alreday stacked applies here..
WHy wont the identities of the People given Evidence here wont be given and their locations??????? In any court room in the world where Justice is performed this is a Fundemental right. I mean we want to make sure no (WESTERN EUROPE OR CANADIAN / USA CITIZESHIP HAS BEEN GIVEN IN ORDER TO GET EVIDENCE) BECAUSE THATS BRIBERY AND NOT ADMITTED IN COURT.
Now as listed before we have seen similar Flaws with Many UNHCR led investigations Such as GOLD Stone report and rafik hariri investigation.
Thats why this report will be killed. As the USA who led this Political investigation needs Geo Political influence in South Asia. And the witness who got boats and went to USA via Dubai for who knows what??? will drop thir statements one suspects. All in good USA worshipping Time..
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srilal / February 18, 2015
Saman ,
“How do You know this??? This socalled claim was made by the Previous head of the UNHCR and other rights body that are ment to investigate Sri Lanka EVEN BEFORE THE NATIONS VOTED FOR A WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATION.”
Actually ,that claim was made by none other than our war hero Gen Fonseka , that is food for thought !
“WHy wont the identities of the People given Evidence here wont be given and their locations??????? In any court room in the world where Justice is performed this is a Fundemental right. I mean we want to make sure no (WESTERN EUROPE OR CANADIAN / USA CITIZESHIP HAS BEEN GIVEN IN ORDER TO GET EVIDENCE) BECAUSE THATS BRIBERY AND NOT ADMITTED IN COURT.”
That was the precondition which had been adopted by the UNHRC , if you want ,you could argue till the cows home , but nobody is going to pay any interest on your argument , this is same as , asking ” why don’t they appoint an inquiry in to Americans killings of Afghan people , Iraqis , Libyans etc ” you could go on arguing weeks or even months on these issues , but would that stop the investigation ?
“Thats why this report will be killed.”
but , you have failed to elaborate the intended procedure , has it got to do with our “Thunmulle Wimale ” , i remember Thunmulle Wimale and GL calling to form a new UN after the Geneva debacle some time back , not a bad idea after all , we all SriLankans must push that novel idea and show the world what we are made of , don’t you agree with me Saman ?
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Native Vedda / February 17, 2015
“UNHRC Chief Grants ‘One-Time Only’ Deferral Of Sri Lanka War Report”
This island should be grateful to Dayan Jayatilleka for his immense work that he carried out in 2009 single handedly at the UNHRC which now bears fruits.
How marginal majority has won this day early on in 2009.
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Lanka Watch / February 17, 2015
Native Vedda,
What the UNHCR chief really meant was that “only one time’ amnesty will be granted for the killers but not the second
time.So your friend DJ should be happy that perpetrators of the worst
crime in history will be set free. He should thank the country that twisted the arms of the UN official to delay and destroy the UN human rights report.
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Native Vedda / February 17, 2015
Lanka Watch
You must be a Tamil/Sinhala stupid person.
You didn’t get the point and you will never get it. Chillax,
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native gona / February 17, 2015
Native Vedda Idiot if DJ Continued there would not have been a resolution, even whit goats like Mara at the Head he could have avoided the UNHCR.. But Mara sent that great person sajjin..
Still give us in you, i just read a history book version of the kotahana riots.. wanting to see your version sir.
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srilal / February 17, 2015
“if DJ Continued there would not have been a resolution, “
i’ve been repeating this for the last six odd years , what did DJ achieve in 2009 ? was it beneficial to all Srilankans on the longer run ? DJ is an ideal partner for “Thunmulle wimale ” hence both needs to send packing to Geneva in September !
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Native Vedda / February 17, 2015
native gona
” if DJ Continued there would not have been a resolution, even whit goats like Mara at the Head he could have avoided the UNHCR.”
Happy to hear at least one gona is supporting the DJ.
The was brought to an end by the Hindians, USA and rest of the International Community.
The resolutions were introduced and watered down by Hindians and USA.
Whether DJ, GL or Sajin could not make much difference as the agenda and rules of the game are set by IC and not by little islanders.
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Native Gona / February 17, 2015
Native Vedda
Mr Read alot ‘set by IC ‘ SL are not Signatories to the IC / rome statute’s thanks to Ranil. So this report legally speaking and has no teeth. Even the sec council needs vote to pass. One veto no vote understand
The resolutions were introduced and watered down by Hindians and USA.
Actually the resolution was introduced by ‘Montenegro’ the USA little Dog. It is said there is a extra chair in the Montenegro cabinet room for the USA ambassador.
True resolution was watered down by Indians (by Kashmir Occupied Indians) if not they THE usa would have LOST the UNHCR VOTE..
Yor memory is ver bad in terms of recent history..wonder how it is when you mention the kotahena Riots almost 100 years ago
Can you please tell us about the kotahena Riots all the details sir. I am ver keen to know this
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2015
Native Gona
“set by IC ‘ SL are not Signatories to the IC / “
Re read my comment you are confusing International Community for International Criminal Court which is ICC.
” So this report legally speaking and has no teeth.”
Of course UNHRC itself has no teeth to deal with it however the International Community has infinite number of tools in its armour.
“True resolution was watered down by Indians (by Kashmir Occupied Indians) if not they THE usa would have LOST the UNHCR VOTE.. “
There you have your answer.
“Can you please tell us about the kotahena Riots all the details sir. I am ver keen to know this”
Actually if you have read my comment carefully it happened 132 years ago and if you need the facts please refer to:
Ethnic and Class conflicts in Sri Lanka
By
Kumari Jayawardena
Please feel free to contact me if you need free education. But then what is the purpose of educating a Gona when it does not know the difference between IC and ICC?
IC has one C and ICC has two Cs.
By the way if you want to avoid punitive sanctions please go beg the Hindians.
Nothing personal.
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Native Gona / February 18, 2015
Native Vedda
IC has one C and ICC has two Cs. By the way if you want to avoid punitive sanctions please go beg the Hindians.
Sha.. You picked up on my MISTAKE. well done.. You have picked the key flw to my argument. Such geart Brains sir. I should have know sir the difference between IC = Int Community.
Unlkie you hI have read very little of Kumari madam.. But you gave a good history before about the kotahena Riots which i would like you sir againt to tell your version here.
We are humble people, not educated to ur high standards. I would really like to see one more time of your version of the ‘kotahena Riots’
True resolution was watered down by Indians (by Kashmir Occupied Indians) if not they THE usa would have LOST the UNHCR VOTE.. ”
There you have your answer.
There you have your answer.
But Mr Native why can you please tell me and US why did the Indian water down and now why dont USA persue this Justice they and in paticular IC (got it right ya)were relentlessly after SL for years. Why now put breaks on Democarcy, Human rights, Law, Justice and reconciliation these principles the IC and USA wanted so badly for Little stupid islanders like us???
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2015
Native Gona
Dayan’s alter ego
“Why now put breaks on Democarcy, Human rights, Law, Justice and reconciliation these principles the IC and USA wanted so badly for Little stupid islanders like us???”
Simply because you are a stupid little islanders.
“Unlkie you hI have read very little of Kumari madam.”
What exactly is this Kumari madam? Is it another little sanctuary/refuge for abused/bartered women and girls?
“But you gave a good history before about the kotahena Riots which i would like you sir againt to tell your version here.”
Time you visited your optician.
I have already given you the reference where you can find the details of Kotehena 1883. If you want to learn you have to do the hard work, search for it, you lazy fellow. In case you make another mistake here is the details:
Ethnic and Class conflicts in Sri Lanka By Kumari Jayawardena
And
Catholics, Buddhists, and the Church of England: The 1883 Sri Lankan Riots
By Tessa Bartholomeusz
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Native Gona / February 18, 2015
Native Vedda
Simply because you are a stupid little islanders.
Ahh Thst is why Shir we ‘stupid little islanders’ As you have pointed out need your valuable Input and comments. I mean shir who are
people like
DJ, Kumari madam and Tessa Bartholomeusz?? Ahh.. No No i no read these stupid little islanders like you have said.
I want what you have written, like the Kotehena riots you will NEVER TWIST THE TRUTH..
shir please Answer Question ‘Why now put breaks on Democarcy, Human rights, Law, Justice and reconciliation these principles the IC and USA’ Dont Avoid.
Dayan At least in his, stupid island capacity Gave us the Answer. But in your intellectual state, you never gave us the answer. I await your answer.. I am sure you wont reference any stupid islanders writers anymore when commenting sir.
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Ajith / February 17, 2015
Tamils showed their willingness to participate in the process of rebuilding the rule of law and justice to its citizens. The international community shows its willingness to cooperate with it if they are genuine to take accountability issue seriously and take action on those committed war crimes, particularly aafter end of the war. I am sure that this government will not play hide and seek game as in the past. In the mean time, the President should start negotiation with TNA to find a permanent political solution to bring permanent peace.
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Ranjan / February 17, 2015
Ranil led administration will play hide and seek and with UN report being delayed it is already visible. Ranil and MaRa are two sides of the same coin with regards to their anti-Tamil policies. And people like you who trust Ranil are in for a shock. This is just a start.
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Burning Issue / February 17, 2015
This piece of news is not good for the likes of DR DJ. He would have had a field day with UN report out in the open; he now needs to search around for anything he can use to justify his Smart Patriot claim!
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truth / February 17, 2015
He betrayed the innocent victims and witnesses….
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Dom / February 17, 2015
No, This is the true powers of the UNP–led Govt and they have the powers to control the superpower country the United States which pressurised the UN to delay the reports since the UNP Govt is trying to establish the local judicial mechanism that allows the govt to investigate with the reports from the UN.
Without the UNP – Sri Lanka cannot survive, but have to face the trade sanctions like Russia who refused to cooperate with the negotiated agreement to withdraw the troops in the Ukraine. If this happened in Sri Lanka – our currency, passport visa-free ranking and economical trade will be degraded from the international arena.
However, the UNP will provide justice for the victims of war crimes who suffered burden on their daily basis that they’re unable to cover the cost of living or surviving. As you’re aware that when the regime change occurred that you can see there has been a huge change in human rights watch, media freedom and among of other things which never occurred in the previous regime.
Slowly the current government will provide more and more benefit for everyone in the country also more people from overseas will come to invest in Sri Lankan business communities that will allow Sri Lankan people to seek for new opportunities and high paid salaries in private and public sectors.
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truth / February 17, 2015
Well, you are messing benifits of cost of living on a daily basis and people who lost families, children, house, lands and forced to live in camps like a detention camps. You talk about cost of living made people in sputh to bring the UNP back to power where tamils voted to send master mind of the war crimes home. Tell UNP give justise to the people who voted them to eliminate drugs and corruption. Still no arrests made and all are roaming free…
Invest in sri lanka, reduce cost of living is not the solution for war crimes. It includes prevent medical access when 1000s of civilians injured and forced to death for wounds, bombed schools, templs, hospitals and safe zones decalared by gov. Its different from what UNPs cost of living.
For tamils, its cost of life for living. Cost of living is only applicable for south. Becauze south only wanted regime change when they realized their tax money goes to individuals pockets. But south wanted MR regime when he killed 1000s and 1000s. not even a single politician talk about children, women, elderly people kiled to starvation. No food, milk, medicine for months and months.
You people deliberately denied all the evidence came from war zoon as fabricated. But when you need a regime change we witnessed how you posted pictures and videos of violations of MR and similar way MR rejected.
Remeber what goes come around…
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Off the Cuff / February 17, 2015
truth,
Re “not even a single politician talk about children,….”
Good observation. Anybody talking about the 100,000+ Tamil child soldiers, their mothers and fathers?
Don’t you want to see the person who sent them to their deaths held to account?
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truth / February 18, 2015
We too saw the children from south with military uniforms.. there are lot of photos around the world… does it mean gov recruited child soldiers? they why those children wore military uniforms? they wanted to fight against LTTE or they love country? you can kill 16 yr kid just because pirabakaran’s son. tamils know how previous regime worked and used media (but stopped international and independent including UN, ICRC and NGOs etc etc) to fabricate the truth.
You didnt feel how state meadia including electronic and print media was used during the war. But taste during the president election… are not you? then you all started to bark stop head of ITN, rupavahini and rajpal to leave the country, arrest them, put in jail etc etc.. just because they attack personally the person you like who is a president candidate Mr. Srisena.
you wanted to bring srisena in other words, send MR home so you people in south realized that state media attacking srisena..
1. There was a drama telecast on ITN that Mr. srisena kidnaped her mother and request to release him
2. Dummy srisena, well dressed like srisena and spent crores to even act like srisena.
there are so many things south witnessed how regime has fabricated…
if regime can find, dress act like srisena.. nothing surprise to dress a children with ltte and video them to portrait as child soldiers and all of them speak half boiled tamil pronounces. Which we tamils know not a native tamil and we know how they were trained for video. but for fool people in south they think its tamil.
so many actors within regime during the war and they acted well with the script provided by regime… because regime wanted to finish tamils youths from a certain age limit. because regime dream was, if they finish from a certain age limit they though next few decades no youth will be the level to think about freedom fighting.. not only that allow the drugs and prostitutes, casinos into country so youths wont think about regime’s wrongdoings. so they can build their empire without any problem.. no issues from north and east because did maximum destruction and no young people in north and east. all systematically executed. where in south, drug, alcohol, women, casino in the rise so youth in the south moved into western culture.
but regime didnt expect this soon they will go home..
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Off the Cuff / February 18, 2015
Dear truth,
You have just admitted that you don’t care about the 100,000 plus Tamil children who were either killed or maimed or scared for life because of Adelle Balasingham and her Baby Brigade. Not to mention the Financiers of that abominable project.
You did not care about them during the 30 year war, though you were doing death fasts while tucking in to fast food on the sly and blocking western highways brandishing Terrorist flags in an unsuccessful bid to save your Sun God and was pumping money so that the Sun God could abduct more than 200 children a month, to use as cannon fodder, for him to hide behind and live another day.
The Sun God who gave cyanide capsules to the children was too much of a coward to take it himself and died an ignominious death by getting his head blown off trying to hide in the mud of Nanthikadal lagoon.
You want a war crime prosecution but is heeing and hawing when your attention is drawn to the Child soldier recruiter and trainer and commander Ms Adelle Balasingham, who is living in the UK Right under the nose of the TGTE and the British Tamil Forum and all the other Tamil organisations and Tamils world wide who are shedding barrels of Crocodile Tears for the Dead.
This single factor emphasises the ABJECT NUDITY of your War Crimes cry.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Mallaiyuran / February 17, 2015
Whatever is the consideration in High Commissioner’s evaluation, however he could channel the new offer into a fruitful initiations to uphold the justice, But UNHRC meeting will be in two months, election will be in three months and the presentation of the report will, if it will ever, take place in eight months, a too long time for TNA to be able hold on to its life to that extent. Soon, its coffin will be closed and paraded on the streets of Lankave. This is something to be a bad out come for Tamils by the High Commissioner’s decision to deffer the tabling of the report.
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Lanka Watch / February 17, 2015
Can Sheik Zaid Ra’ad Al Hussain, UNHCR chief, who shed crocodile tears for the victims of the brutal massacre of civilians in the war in his report, explain to the world and millions of Tamils who lost their kith
and kin,in this brutal war, as to what purpose it serves in delaying the release of the UN report. Is it that the report cannot be completed
for lack of information and needs more time or some powerful nation twisted the arms of the UN officials to delay the report in order, the present govt.comes out with fabricated evidence that a massacre in fact
did not take place and that will see to the end of the UN intervention in this matter.The present govt.in fact, on being elected to power,said
that they will not abide by the ruling given in UN human rights report and was this, not considered an enough threat for the UN Chief to put out the report without delay. The UN Chief,all along said that he will stick to what his predecessor Ms. Pillai stood for and also refused to communicate with the former regime on this matter and all of a sudden,
he decides to delay the release of the report and his action makes people suspicious and there goes the creditability of UN on fire.
It is understandable that there is no permanent govt.in place yet and
The election to follow and Tamils are prepared to wait until a new
stable govt. is formed to discuss other burning issues but what has that got to do with the release of the report as this govt.under the new President is not involved in the real massacre. UN HCR chief will learn a lesson, when he releases the report,(if permitted by the arm twisters) later in September or so that the perpetrators of the crime cannot not be found in SL but living close to UN headquarters in plush mansions.
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jansee / February 17, 2015
There will be pain and hurt in deferring the publication of the report but as the three experts too had concurred, we need to have a little bit more patience.
Zaid’s assertion that it is only a one-time deferral and his reasoning that the access promised by the new SL govt will strengthen the report should be accepted in good faith. The Rajapakse regime took five long years to hoodwink the Tamils. The current regime is only asking to be deferred until the next UNHRC session. Let us not draw swords and it is my belief that the deferral may well offer the UNHRC to get first hand information. Since the new govt has offered unimpeded access, which the previous Rajapakse govt had denied, it will be remarkable that the UNHRC team will have direct access to the surviving victims.
I don’t think anyone believes that this reporting will be shelved forever. The Tamils won’t be sleeping on this. The six months will allow the report to be more reliable and credible.
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truth / February 17, 2015
Well, UN has to postpone the release,
1. Current regime has to buy more time as they come to power by telling lies MR did this and that.. including president srisena him self lied on helicopters etc etc. What happened?
Thos we know we cant expect much on his investigation report as unhrc cheif is always a genuine and honest person. History has proved. But if they release the report now, current regime has to address those issues mentioned in the unhrc report and the regime knows they cant address them as already promised are not possible at all.
And this report will address tamils issue rather people in south where majority vote bank is available though tamil speaking votes are still the king makers.
once the report is released, regime has to address much of the known issues which tamils are asking but yet to publish by an international backed organization. As regime is targetting next election they have to address what they promised but still they are behind the schedule. As unhrc report will help tamils on their issues, regime has no intention to spend time on as its tamils problem and the actual votes are from south. This is a parliamentary election and tamils vote wont affect the result as presidential election.
Second point, punishing the war criminals. We sri lankan know who were responsible and who is with gov and who are not. Once the report is released how are they going to punish them. This is the gov gling ex def secretary home and get statements. Drug dealers are roaming free. this is the only country when inquiry will go on months wven drug king mention who are dealing with him. If there is a million transaction from and ordinary citizen’s account income tax problem will be there. Byut MP can settle a 170million due within a day. No inquiry how he got money. But going behind him to inquiry on his elephant.
Obviouly present regime cant punish anyone thoigh hey promised in the last presidential election but even after general election. They may put few in jail and grant bail to eyewash people. Real game is on. Now they officially started to cheat people in south for their political career. Now people in south can understand how politicians cheated tamils one by another. People in south started to taste now. even the politicians are telling their frustration on tvs how they are cheated.. not even 2 monhs this go came to power. You people cant wait and tell your frustation.. juat imagine you ask tamils to keep on waitjng for decades…. and still asking to wait…
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punchinilame / February 17, 2015
Going by the assurances of a honest authority after due consultation with
his team; the sincierty of the Organisation after their own internal Report of failings,this appears to be a correct course.
In any event, a change of Govt. by June, based on this issue will be most
upsetting, which angle may have been studied too?
The victims must be most disappointed, however they have the strength and divine patient to await the Sept. Report with the Govts new input,
which may take a step closer to settlement of our National problem, I
sincerely hope.
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Agnos / February 17, 2015
Rights activists should not be disheartened by this. It has always been known that getting real justice will be a long-drawn out process, and UNHRC investigation is just one aspect of it.
The HRC chief says, “I give my personal, absolute and unshakable commitment that the report will be published by September.”
Now keep the pressure on him to honor his word.
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Bedrock Barney / February 17, 2015
Most first times start out as one-time’s. Once it is done for the first time the second time is not so painful and the 3rd times painless and the 4th time? no need to even mention.
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Mallaiyuran / February 17, 2015
Sumanthiran ill advised Sampanthar regularly. This how he sought the end of his TNA MP post. If Sampanthar leaves, Nobody in the TNA will enjoy him hang around there.
Thanks Sumanthiran for all your services to Tamils. But by for now!
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Naren / February 17, 2015
There is no reconciliation without taking the bloody genocidal war criminals to the International court. How can someone expect flowers from killers and rapists.
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Leon / February 17, 2015
The Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussain
has said that he has given his ” personal, absolute and unshakable commitment
that the report will be published in September 2015″.
Let us await and see how the Sirisena Govt will accomplish their commitment towards reconciliation and accountability.
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Naren / February 17, 2015
I can not see any reasonable point for posponding the investigation report rather the entire UN body is politizised. Western countries are playing some games for their political gains. The innocent 147k Tamil lives are now America’s politics. What a cheapest world we are living.?? You Zeid wanted to release the report for Mahinda only? What the hell will happen for these 6 months do you think? Nothing will happen!! Actually now any of you want this genocide to be investigated or punish the war criminals. Your plan to change Mahinda worked. Now you are turning somewhere to another shameless plan. Did SL obey to stop killing in 2009 when Tamils around the world came to streets and shouted against the genocide? DID SL GOVERMENT POSTPOND THE GENOCIDAL KILLINGS TO 6 MONTHS IN 2009?
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truth / February 17, 2015
Another blunder by UN. Once again proved that they are not for the victims. They are for the powers. they are inhuman by extending anoher 6 months and asking victims to tell wait for justice. Though the UN report is not going to give any justice to the victims, victims expect that report will give atleast crimes against humanity and war crimes have happened by the name of humanitarian Operation. Even the new gov not doing what they promised to come to the power. Put drug dealers, criminals, people responsible for corruptions and murder in jail. No such single arrrest made. Own investigation in six months time? We sri lankans know what this gov is capable of. One think is sure, west, east and UN may think they can always play with tamils and ask to wait as usual by telling they will give justise. Tamils are no more there to believe this s**t. I THINK TIME HAS COME TO SEND TNA HOME AND YOUNG EDUCATED TAMIL PEOPLE TO FORM A NEW PARTY SEND MORE MEMBERS TO PARLIAMENT. TALK ABOUT TAMILS PROPLEM WITHOUT ANY FEAR RATHER ALWAYS TALK AS POLITICAL EXPERT AND PUT TAMILS IN THE DANGER.
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Naren / February 17, 2015
There is no reconciliation without taking the bloody genocidal war criminals to the International court. How can someone expect flowers from killers and rapists.
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abc / February 17, 2015
If UNHRC chief is a genuine and a neutral person and his decision is not based on the political reasons and his master blunder ban ki moon, he has to justify his points “good arguments to publish” and “strong arguments to delay”. Victims need his justification and its his duty.
Whatever, as declared by NPC, this proves the genocide on tamils and it will continue until time answers. No one expected that previous regime will be out of power and tamils did it. You helpless taMil people no need to worry, you still have the power to bring and send people in and out of power. Thats is your vote. Use it next time properly.
People in south sent MR home because they worried too much on their tax money going into MR’s pocket. But for you tamils you dont have anything to loose. they arenot in the position to ask to arrest drug dealers. Gov is continue to play with them though came to power from the votes.
No wonder peoson getting west salary play with you people. People in the UN start their day with a call from west, their heart will beat once they get the call from west in the morning. Otherwise no..
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Richard Kaz / February 17, 2015
Has UN HRC chief postponed the tabling of the report with the view that new information will be available from the new government in Sri Lanka or is he giving time for the new government to establish a so-called internal investigation? Just like the Sri Lankan state cannot be trusted to conduct a honest investigation, the international players cannot be trusted too. The international players will attempt to twist the UN HRC to deliver an outcome in favour of their national interests rather than justice for the thousands of Tamil civilians slaughtered by the Rajapaksa regime.
The UN HRC Chief claims that the report will be tabled in September. But, prior to September, what if the new government establishes an internal investigation and requests the UN HRC to not postpone but shelve the report altogether? What if the international players backing the new government put pressure on the HRC Chief to shelve it? We are back to square one, Tamil lives cheaply dismissed by the Sri Lanka state and its international backers with a bogus internal investigation that suits everyone except the Tamils. Treatment of Tamils by the Sri Lankan state will never change, the only thing that changes is the regime in power and depending on that, the regime’s international backers and protecters.
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Sarojah / February 17, 2015
Justice delayed;justice denied
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Ambedkhar Reborn / February 17, 2015
That means the UNHRC chief is giving MR & Co a chance to return to power on a silver platter.
So after 100 days MS would have made the constitutional changes to scrap the executive Presidencyor curtail President’s power.
That means MaRa, GoRa, Gotha, Nama and the rest can get re- elected or nominated on SLFP tickets at the forthcoming General Elections. That is why MaRa said he will not do anything silly to breakup the SLFP.
The current government just talk only about the corruption, nepotism by MR and his regime. But President, PM and the Ministers will not take any actions against all these.
That means MR & Co are going to be resurrected by the UNHRC and the current GOSL.
What is going to happen to PIVITHURU HETAK ?
What is going to happen to Ranil’s Premiership and Maithiri’s Presidency ?
Sumanadasa Abeygunawardne is going to have the last laugh.
“AAYUTH KOREA USA THAMAI”
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thondamannar / February 17, 2015
What authority does Zied have to delay this report? Under whose instructions or whose direction he had resorted to this decision?
Can the UNHRC play around with such reports?
Where was the hurry it showed earlier or are there contradictions or flaws in that report?
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Burning Issue / February 17, 2015
thondamanner(u)
“Where was the hurry it showed earlier or are there contradictions or flaws in that report?”
You have not siad this out of love for the Tamils have you? We all know where you stand on the Tamil question! The problem is that; you hoped this report would evoked the Smart Patriotism amoung the Sinhala!It looks as if RW/CBK/MS combination is outsmarting the Smart Patriots!
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Ananda-USA / February 17, 2015
[Edited out] We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Joseph De Vazz-Mahanuwara / February 18, 2015
SHAME ON UN. NOW WAR CRIMMINALS CAN ROAM THE WORLD FREELY. JUSTICE DENIED TO ALL THE 75,000 INNOCENT TAMIL CIVILIANS BUTCHERD BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSE. MORE COUNTRIES INCLUDING CHINA, NORTH KOREA WILL FOLLOW SRI LANKA IN THE KILLING SPREE AND ESCAPE FROM JUSTICE ACCORDING TO THE UN.
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Off the Cuff / February 19, 2015
Joseph De Vazz-Mahanuwara
What a lot of BS
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manisekaran / February 17, 2015
UN,
It is shame that UNHRC postponed the report which is already delayed, Did the superstars from subcontinet play any role in delaying the tabling of the report? How far is the UN system independent of any influnece, UN is a shame and sham , for commoner like me.
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Native Vedda / February 18, 2015
manisekaran
“It is shame that UNHRC postponed the report which is already delayed,”
Of course it is shame.
However you need to deal with other immediate issues near to your home.
Why could not the Tamil Nadu state stop fisherman poaching the northern seas, denying the Northern fisher folks their livelihood?
Is the state scared of the rich and powerful trawler owners some of whom have close connection with the powerful Tamil Nadu politicians?
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manisekaran / February 19, 2015
NV,
I do feel irritated when I read that Tamil fishermen from TN intrudes and fishes in waters that belongs to Srilankan Tamil fishermen. Yes, I understand whom you exactly refer as “politician”.
However, if the fishing area is around Katchatheevu, I would not call it as illegal poaching, because traditionally, it has been rightfully ours, no matter whether India secceded that to any party, since it was done withour our approval.
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Off the Cuff / February 18, 2015
Re “How far is the UN system independent of any influnece,”
A million dollar question. Those who succeeded in influencing them will know the answer.
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Ranjan / February 17, 2015
This is exactly what I predicted before the elections, Ranil will not give a hoot about war crimes and justice to Tamils once the favour has been done and it proved to be true. Despite saving the nation from MaRa and bring in change, Tamils have been betrayed and are not enjoying any benefits of this “change”.
You Tamils for a short term gain have started to lose everything you fought for, if Prabhakaran was alive he would have never wanted MaRa sent him.Because MaRa was open in his anti-Tamil policies and marginalized the island from West but Ranil is a fox and cannot be trusted.
Tamils should atleast now start to think outside the comfort zone and lose interest in short term gains.
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Agnos / February 18, 2015
People like you always had exaggerated hopes of action by the UNHRC. Suppose the report is going to be released on time in March, and suppose the MR regime were still in power. What did you expect the UNHRC to say and do? That the international community would physically and militarily intervene in Sri Lanka to give a protected area for the Tamils? Look at Israel. Look at the Kurds. Only some ignorant Tamils have high hopes from the UNHRC process. And do you think they wouldn’t criticize the LTTE for its part in the war?
There has always been a better chance of getting the Rajapaksas in to prison for their corruption via normal processes within Sri Lanka than via any UNHRC action on war crimes.
Also, it will be easier now, since the Rajapaksas are out of power, to bring cases by direct victims in US courts against Gotabhaya as he is a US citizen.
I have no doubt that the Tamil people made the right choice in helping to vote out MR, regardless of what happens to the UNHRC process.
The NPC should be focusing on working with the new government in easing the real burdens of the people. For instance, why hasn’t the NPC taken it up at the highest levels, nationally and internationally, the issue of waste oil from a power plant contaminating groundwater in the Valigamam sector? Because they wouldn’t do it, there is no help from the US/UK/India, who could easily donate equipment and expertise to address that issue.
What happens instead is that a group of Tamil civil and chemical engineers in the West are spending their own time, energy and money to try to address this serious problem affecting drinking water, even though their experience on such remediation is very limited.
What Tamils need today is focus on practical problems. Justice for war crimes is also important but a delay of 6 months in the UNHRC report hardly warrants a ‘sky is falling!’ cry.
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Anpu / February 18, 2015
Agnos,
By reading your comments on CT I can see you are good human being.
“There has always been a better chance of getting the Rajapaksas in to prison for their corruption via normal processes within Sri Lanka than via any UNHRC action on war crimes.”
History (UNP & SLFP – when they needed they get the support of the LEFT as well) does not support your optimism.
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Off the Cuff / February 18, 2015
Dear Agnos,
That was a sane look at the issue.
They would not look at a military intervention because more Tamils live in the South than in the North. However they can impose economic sanctions but again the Tamils too would suffer equally.
The majority of Tamil people (some Tamils did vote MR) made a wise choice by voting against MR as otherwise they would have had to suffer Douglas Devanada’s thuggery for a further 10 years without any let up. He was co chair of the NP, DDC thanks to MR’s power. Though he was co chair with CM Wigs, Douglas wielded more power because of govt backing.
I was surprised to hear about the oil contamination. Apparently this has been going on since 2009 and now the contamination has extended to 8km radius. I really cannot understand the lethargy of the NPC when Fresh water in the North is more important than power. Why couldn’t they plug the leak at the beginning by stopping the power plant temporarily?
Agnos this power plant is now used only for peak power. Is their any possibility of Diaspora Tamils providing a Solar Panel and a grid tie inverter to the homes of their relatives? (you have abundant sun light) This is a cheap solution if a micro inverter is used and will be a win win solution to your relatives and the people. You should be able to install a 1kw system for about $1500. It could be smaller if that is not affordable. The day time power generation from all the households will reduce the day time use of the plant and will ameliorate the oil contamination. I hope I am not being presumptuous in making that suggestion.
Kind Regards,
OTC
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Pacs / February 17, 2015
once only no no many times only. UN no justice, Sri lanka No justice. Tamils world over, you do not have even animal rights.
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Mandalanyagam Thiru / February 17, 2015
There is a typo error in the last sentence of my earlier comment.
It should be ” AAYUTH KOTTA UDA THAMAI “.
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Taraki / February 17, 2015
The first step in realpolitik. More to come dear diaspora!
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Sakeela / February 17, 2015
Why can not America and this Zaed talk about reconciliation in Iraq, Syria and North Korea? US is the shameless bitch to the world.
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White Flags / February 18, 2015
Why the delay?
Whats the point?
LOL. This just shows that this whole “war crimes” and “human rights” cries of the West is nothing more than a facade and a political tool (thats for you white worshippers out their who for some twisted reason believe otherwise).
When the LTTE was destroyed the West lost a very powerful geo-political asset that was used to control and manipulate Sri Lanka. In the years since they have been busy trying to create a new
a new political tool (so called “war crimes” and threats of economic sanactions) to control and manipulate Sri Lanka, to essentially replace what the LTTE represented and was used for.
They managed to achieve this goal with significant help of the Colombo crowd (NGOs, free media, Sarath Fonseka, Lasantha W, Ranil, Laksman Kirella, Mangala, UNP, Channel 4, CBK) and it “works” because so many in Sri Lanka (mentioned a few names already) want it to work for their own short sighted, selfish goals, agendas, vendettas, greed for money and power lust.
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White Flags / February 18, 2015
Why the delay?
Whats the point?
LOL. This just shows that this whole “war crimes” and “human rights” cries of the West is nothing more than a facade and a political tool (thats for you white worshippers out their who for some twisted reason believe otherwise).
When the LTTE was destroyed the West lost a very powerful geo-political asset that was used to control and manipulate Sri Lanka. In the years since they have been busy trying to create a new
a new political tool (so called “war crimes” and threats of economic sanactions) to control and manipulate Sri Lanka, to essentially replace what the LTTE represented and was used for.
They managed to achieve this goal with significant help of the Colombo crowd (NGOs, free media, Sarath Fonseka, Lasantha W, Ranil, Laksman Kirella, Mangala, UNP, Channel 4, CBK) and it “works” because so many in Sri Lanka (mentioned a few names already) want it to work for their own short sighted, selfish goals, agendas, vendettas, greed for money and power lust.
#
With regards to Fonseka: it was revenage (for being rejected by the pepole of SL), money (his daughters wanted homes in California), power (he has a big ego and Robert Blake promised him he would be crowned President) and green card lust for himself and his family, not to forget protection for his son in law from Federal prison for carrying out illegal business acts in the US while being a mere green card holder and not even a full citizen. And finally of course Fonseka had a lot of HATE.( Years in the Army and achieving nothing other than defeat after defeat including the loss of Elephant Pass in 2000 -go check he was the Jaffna area commander who lost EP because he was too arrogant, or is that stupid?, to send support troops to defend the water wells that supplied the base even when the soliders their begged him. Once the LTTE captured that they starved the 2000 soldiersat EP of water. Thats how EP fell, our soldiers died of dehydration all because of Fonseka’s arrogance and lack of intelligence)
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Mallaiyuran / February 18, 2015
The basic fact is, after all the Sampanthar and Sumanthiran’s stories, Lankave remaining extremely dangerous place for witnesses. UN had not come forth with witness protection plan. TNA so far has not demanded for protection from UN. With this condition, what is the point of investigators coming to Lankave?
What is point of having a internal investigation. Jayakumari is an important witness. Now, even her whereabouts is not known. Who will go this comedy show of UN action if they go to Lanka. Does Sumanthiran have extra houses to keep and protect the witnesses after they meet the UN panel? Why Sumanthiran is advertising that he is going to make the report stronger? He could not make it to appear on the mandated period. He wants others to believe his promises?
Sampanthar was bragging that he will find a solution for Tamils in his life time. Now it appears he is going end up his life even with out a MP post. Nobody can put dirt on the head a strong elephant. So it does it to itself. That is what Sampanthar did. Sampanathar himself tore off the prize the Tamils gave to him. He damaged it when Tamils asked him to lead them.
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